Automobile ash tray



March 7, 1950 F. J. BOYCE AUTOMOBILE ASH TRAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1948 i F rqncis J. Boyce INVENTOR.

Ammeys March 7, 1950 F. J. BOYCE AUTOMOBILE ASH TRAY 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 21, 1948 Fig.4.

Inventor m w M J. H F x M Patented Mar. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMOBILE ASH TRAY Francis J. Boyce, Keoknk, Iowa Application January 21, 1948, Serial No. 3,510

while riding in vehicles. since the receptacles would soon fill up and the problem of disposals would arise. Ordinarily, the vehicle would be stopped, and the container withdrawn and the contents removed. This incurred the likelihood of the ashes being scattered as well as the necessity for remembering to empty the receptacles.

An object of the invention, therefore, is to provide means for conveying ashes to the exterior while the vehicle is in motion.

Another object is to avoid the scattering of ashes and also to provide means to promptly extinguish any live ashes.

Still another object is to provide means to retain refuse on the device until ready for disposal.

A still further object of the invention is to position the receptacle in a recess in the upholstery, where the only visible member will be the refuse receiving portion.

1 Claim. (Cl. 206-195) And more specifically, the invention concerns an ash tray open at the bottom and a pivoted closure panel capable of closing the device when not in use and also used as a refuse receiving tray when so desired. The invention accordingly, comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts. which are exemplified in the description in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the scope of which will be indicated in the following claim.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is 11- lustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in relation to the motor vehicle;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the receptacle in closed position;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 5li of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the receptacle in open position.

Referring to Figure 1, the interior of a motor vehicle is indicated generally at l0 and shows a window I2, including a bottom edge I4 adjacent seat It and the conventional arm-rest I 0. In a recess in the upholstery of the vehicle, between the bottom of window I2 and arm IS, a refuse receiving receptacle 20 is placed. This receptacle will be used to receive cigarette ashes or butts, cigar ashes and butts, bits of paper. or any small refuse customarily deposited therein. Receptacle 20 includes a top 22, sides 24, 2S, and back 28, and a tapered open bottom 30 (see Figures 2 and 3). The front section 32 extends only half way up.

As is best seen in Figures 3 through 6, a panel 34 is pivoted at 3B and 38 to the sides 24 and 26, respectively, of the receptacle. Panel 34 includes a lip 40 (see Figure 6) formed by the balfles or upright flanges 42, 44, 46 which enclose panel 34 on three sides and leave it open at 48. Thus, when the receptacle is ready to be used as an ash tray, baiiies 42, 44, 46 retain the ashes on panel 34 and when it is desired to dispose of the waste, panel 34 is pivoted upwardly and the refuse will slide downwardly to the lower chute edge 48 and into tapered outlet 30. It is to be noted that edge 48 includes no bafiie means, as this is necessary to permit disposal of the waste. A knob or pro- ,iection 50 is secured to the upper portion of panel 34 by any desired means such as nails 52 in order to provide a grip to enable panel 34 to be opened. Attention is directed to Figures 4 and 6 where it will be noted that panel 34 is pivoted at 36, 38 slightly above its mid-point. This is an important feature of the invention. When panel 34 is pivoted to horizontal position [or use as an ash tray, the edge 48 abuts a flange 58 on the back 28 and performs the dual function of serving as a stop for panel 34 and closing off the disposal outlet 30. A snap lock (not shown) is used to retain panel 34 when in closed position and lip 40 on panel 34 further serves to make the device airtight when in closed position.

Flexible tube 54 is connected to opening 30 and extends through the body of the vehicle l0 and terminates at a point in front of rear wheel 59. It has been found that the area at this point is of relatively low pressure and in this position, the vacuum created by the forward motion of the vehicle, creates some suction to assist in the withdrawal of refuse and any sparks or lighted butts are immediately extinguished under the wheel of the machine.

The operation of the invention will now be described. When receptacle 20 is to be put into use, knob 50 is grasped and panel 34 is pivoted at 36, 38 until in a substantially horizontal position. This is easily determined, for the lower edge 48 oi panel 34, abuts receptacle 20 and its rear section 28 and retains the panel for use. Upright flanges 42, ll, 46 prevent the ashes or refuse from scattering over the sides. When disposal is desired, panel I4 is lifted and pivots on 38, a to closed position. Panel 34 now acts as a chute and the ashes ride downwardly oi! edge n, which contains no baiile structure, down through the tapered outlet ill and tube 54 to the exterior of vehicle Ill.

panel is horizontal, said panel having another portion extending exteriorly of the receptacle to be used as an ash tray when in. horizontal position, a flange on another of said walls opposite said one wall, said flange comprising a stop for th tray to hold the tray against movement in It is to be understood that the invention is not 10 limited to the specific disclosure, but may be of any design or shape. The receptacle will be hidden behind the upholstery with only the upper half of the panel visible (see Figure 1).

It is to be understood that the device may be placed at the end of the arm-rest or on the back of the front seat, or at any other convenient point within the body of the vehicle without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

An ash tray assembly for use in a motor vehicle comprising a receptaclev having a bottom opening and having vertical walls, an upper opening in the upper half of one wall, a that panel pivoted on said one wall, said panel having a portion extending through said opening into said receptacle to close said bottom opening when the one direction beyond a horizontal position, said panel being pivoted on a horizontal axis through a point adjacent the center, whereby when the panel is in horizontal position the two portions of the panel substantially balance each other, and a flexible tube leading from the bottom opening to a rear wheel well of the motor vehicle.

- FRANCIS J. BOYCE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references areof record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,632,536 Breen June 14, 1927 1,890,941 Flagg Dec. 13, 1932 2,062,793 Nicol Dec. 1, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country 4 Date 769,060 France Aug. 18, 1934 

